The Snickerdoodle family’s recent visit to Potter’s Wax Museum in St. Augustine made me think about Anne Boleyn, a fascinating woman and tragic queen with a ton of myths swirling around her. Her daughter Elizabeth went on to become England’s greatest queen. Inside the ruby ring Queen Elizabeth wore was a very special and secret picture– one of her mother Anne Boleyn. Elizabeth always remembered her mother’s bright life and untimely death.
Daughter of Thomas Boleyn, Earl of Wiltshire, and Lady Elizabeth Howard, Anne Boleyn lived 1501 – May 1536. She became the second wife of Henry VIII after a tumultuous period of political machinations resulting in the separation of the Church of England from Rome. Crowned Queen of England on June 1, 1533, Anne gave birth to the future Queen Elizabeth I later that same year. With no son as issue, Henry’s attentions flitted to the woman who would become his third wife, Jane Seymour. On May 2, 1536 Henry had Anne arrested and incarcerated in the Tower of London. A jury found her guilty of witchcraft, incest, and adultery. She was beheaded on May 19th.
Anne Boleyn’s first cousin was famous Renaissance poet Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, a forerunner of English poets writing in sonnet form along with Sir Thomas Wyatt. He also originated the use of blank verse. Henry Howard proved to be yet another of Henry VIII’s victims and was executed for treason in January 1547. My favorite poem of his has always been The Soote Season, which begins: “The soote season, that bud and bloom forth brings,With green hath clad the hill and eke the vale.” Soote means sweet.
Myths and misconceptions sprang up surrounding Anne Boleyn for numerous reasons. She had replaced the popular Queen Catherine of Aragon, Henry’s first wife, and for that suffered ostracism from public sentiment.
Her nature displayed a self-confidence and style that many interpreted as arrogance and coldness. Do you know any modern women like that?
She was educated in France and the Netherlands and had a working knowledge of the world.
Her actions illustrated ambition and a willingness to “put herself out there.”
She disdained others’ opinions of her.
Henry’s propaganda machine made sure she was reviled.
MYTH- She had a sixth finger on one hand.
MYTH- She had a third nipple.
FACT- This was likely a mere mole.
MYTH- She had warts and hideous moles all over her body.
FACT- She had a few small moles, nothing extraordinary.
MYTH- Her hair was dark and ugly.
FACT- She probably had dark auburn hair and an olive complexion. Her coloring appeared unattractive by the standards of that time, which favored blonde women with pale, translucent skin.
MYTH- She was a witch.
FACT- Red headed women were considered susceptible to manipulation by the devil. Although her hair was not red, its dark auburn color would do the trick. In addition, any exception to the standards of the time—including behavioral—made her a target. Anne was known for the bewitching gazes of her dark eyes. She did bewitch Henry—for a lamentably short time.
I hope you enjoyed the peek at the myths surrounding Anne Boleyn.
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Conjuring the Magic with Romance
I’ve wYs love these legends I loved the stories of Ann Bolin I hadn’t heard those myths thanks for the facts. I am glad I wasnt around back then with my auborn hair and green eyes
Oh dear, Cathy, you might have been in some hot water back then.
Interesting post, Flossie. I had heard these myths about Anne. I think what lies behind some of them is history and in this case myth is written by the winners. Anne and her family lost in a massive power game. I do think her untimely death was a huge influence on Elizabeth I.
So true about history written by the winners. I love to consider alternate histories.
I thoroughly enjoyed this interesting post. Thanks for sharing!
Most welcome, Vikki.
I’d heard some of the myths about Anne Boleyn, but not all of them. And I’m betting that odd fingernail would have been just another factor that could have been turned against her as a sign of the devil when she was incarcerated. It’s almost laughable to think Henry VIII had the audacity to accuse anyone of adultery considering his history. Then again, sadly women didn’t have much voice back then.
Fabulous post!
He and his advisers were master manipulators. Anne was smart but could not outpower him.
The irony of fate is that Henry wanted a son to carry on with the reign, yet it was Elizabeth, the daughter of the beheaded queen that became a queen of Britain. and a very powerful and wise one.
I had no idea about the myths surrounding poor Anne. People tend to imagine, create all kind of things about famous, powerful figures.
In a way Anne got her revenge by having such a strong daughter.
PS Loved the photo, by the way.
I wish we had taken one without me, but them’s the breaks lol.